The United States, US Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Rep Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump’s spy chief.
The confirmation has elevated the ex-Democrat and privacy hawk to a cabinet-level position in President Trump-led Republican administration.
BBC reports that the upper chamber voted 52-48 to confirm Gabbard, with Senator Mitch McConnell joining all 47 Democrats in opposition.
The Army Reserve lieutenant colonel’s ascent to serve as a principal adviser to Trump on intelligence gathered by 18 separate agencies comes after combative hearings in the Senate.
At the start of her confirmation hearing last month, Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark, had acknowledged that Ms. Gabbard’s nomination generated more interest and attention.
“I think it’s fair to say that Ms. Gabbard’s nomination has generated a bit more interest and attention than most nominees,” he said.
